Buffalo Bills News - July 19, 2002

Chris Mortensen: Did Patriots trade Bledsoe to weaken Dolphins and Jets? [9:10 PM]ESPN reports:
I think the Patriots dragged their feet on the deal, hoping they would not have to trade him inside the AFC East. The Pats struggled with the Bills in two victories last season (12-9 OT in Week 14). Certainly, Bill Belichick has confidence he has a handle on Bledsoe, but that would put Bledsoe in good company with just about any QB who has to face Belichick's defensive schemes. Bottom line: I think the Pats made the Bills a very interesting team in 2002.

Management concerned with recent rash of off-field problems [7:44 PM]The Sporting News reports:
The signing of rookie Maurice Jackson is probably not related to Rogers' situation. However, it should be noted that Jackson was a terrific return man at Syracuse University because of his blazing speed. He reportedly ran an electronically timed 40-yard dash in 4.18 seconds during a workout at Syracuse in March 2000.

Pasquarelli: Sam Adams costs too much for Buffalo [4:27 PM]ESPN reports:
The Buffalo Bills would love to make a run at Adams, too, club officials told ESPN.com, but their cap situation is such that they probably can't even do a one-year contract with him.

Training camp Info [2:44 PM]Fox Sports reports:
Confusingly, the Village of Pittsford is an incorporated village within the Town of Pittsford. Village residents are Town residents, but Town residents aren't necessarily Village residents. One gets the impression that Village residents are somewhat pretentious, so don't confuse these important matters.

Bills Backers Of Virginia Raises $1,000 For Multiple Sclerosis [10:14 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills Backers of Virginia, also known as Bills Backers International, recently they took part in the MS walk for Multiple Sclerosis. The team raised $1,000 and received the Bronze Team MS Award. View the Bill Backers directory (Requires the flash plug-in). NEW! Listing of Bills Backers Bars.

July 18, 2002

Soaring Expectations in Buffalo [10:10 PM]ESPN reports:
Training Camp Report 2002: Second year coach Gregg Williams has many more options ths year than he did a year ago. Now the pressure is on to put the right pieces in the right places, and win at least 7 games for the restless fans (and owner) in Buffalo.

Where Are They Now: Chris Keating [4:45 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills were in search of linebackers during the 1979 draft and chose Tom Cousineau with the first overall pick and Jim Haslett in the second round. In short, picking Cousineau didnít really work out too well. However, a rookie linebacker who did work out for Buffalo was free agent Chris Keating.

Team can live without offseason troubles [9:12 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'While the Buffalo Bills have enjoyed an active offseason, the recent string of off-the-field incidents involving players is attention the organization can live without.'

Bills' practice tickets available [5:19 AM]D and C reports:
'Tickets to the night practices are free and limited to six per person. The 7 p.m. sessions will include a 25-minute autograph session involving the entire team after the practice.'

July 17, 2002

Don Banks: New faces in new places [11:43 PM]CNN/SI reports:
Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo: It still feels bizarre to even write the word Buffalo following Bledsoe's name, but we all better get used to it, because the Bills and him are married to each other for a while. But what a honeymoon it has been. Bledsoe got the rock star treatment in upstate NY this spring, and I for one think he deserved a nice break after handling the events of 2001 in New England with about as much dignity as anyone could have mustered. I'm not certain that Bledsoe remains among the NFL's elite QBs, but I think he has found himself an up-and-coming team and I'm convinced that he'll be infused with a motivation this season that hasn't been part of his game for several years. What do you bet that Bledsoe goes to bed every night counting down the days until those two late-season showdowns with New England?

Bills sign Pucillo [8:29 PM]AP reports:
'Pucillo, who played guard and center at Auburn, becomes the fifth of the Bills' 10 draft picks to sign with the team.'

Mike Doser: Tasker says 'Final Showdown' could get serious [7:23 PM]Shout! reports:
Four days to Final Showdown: When we finally get in there Sunday and hike the ball for real, I'm sure it will be fun and kind of lighthearted in the beginning, but when it starts to get down to when someone has to actually win or lose, I'm sure the fangs are going to come out.

Bills Agree To Terms With Pucillo [5:18 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with offensive lineman Mike Pucillo, the first of the teamís four selections in the seventh round of the 2002 Draft and the 215th overall pick. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Brown and Arrington ready to shine [4:56 PM]ESPN.com reports:
Clements fits the bill
Cornerback Nate Clements of the Bills is the final breakthrough player, but he started to look like a Pro Bowler in the second half of last season.

Tickets For Night Practices And Scrimmage Available Saturday At Tops [1:31 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The Bills today announced that tickets for the teamís two Monday evening practices during the Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Training Camp will be available to the public starting this Saturday at 9:00 AM at all participating Tops Friendly Markets locations. Also on Saturday, tickets for the teamís scrimmage with the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, August 3 will be available.'

Inside slant [8:37 AM]USA Today reports:
After adding so many new faces (44 on the camp roster), what kind of chemistry have the Bills brewed? The 2000 Redskins (8-8) or the 2001 Patriots (Super Bowl champs)?'

PFW: The Way We Hear It [8:26 AM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
'Look for Bills starting OLB Keith Newman to be more of a force in the pass rush this season. The Bills used Newman in that role two seasons ago, and he responded by racking up eight sacks. Last season Newman had only 3 1/2 sacks.'

July 16, 2002

Bills sign rookie free agents Jackson and Bradley [9:35 PM]AP reports:
'The signing of Jackson, a wide receiver and kick returner who played at Syracuse, followed the arrest early Saturday of Charlie Rogers, who was expected to fill those roles for Buffalo this season.'

Chris Brown: DT Evans Not on Bills Radar Screen [9:04 PM]WGR reports:
WGR Sportsradio 55 has learned that the agent for free agent defensive tackle Josh Evans has made contact with the Buffalo Bills to gauge interest in his client. However NFL sources have told WGR 55 that there is not a burning interest on the part of the Bills to add the defensive lineman to their roster.

Bills Sign Pair Of Free Agents [4:24 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills today announced that the team has signed two rookie free agents -- cornerback Jykine Bradley and wide receiver Maurice Jackson.

5th Down: Kelly vs. Marino: The History Of A Rivalry [12:11 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
As Kelly and Marino prepare for their charity flag football game at the University at Buffalo this Sunday, let's revisit the history of their rivalry. What follows is a recap of every game the Bills and Dolphins played between 1986 and 1996 (Kelly's final season).

Clayton: Four teams inquiring about Evans [11:33 AM]ESPN reports:
Now that Josh Evans has learned he won't be suspended for violations of the league's substance abuse policy, he has heard from four teams interested in signing him. The Jets, Bills, Titans and Dolphins called during the past couple of days. Evans is going to take a few days to weigh the offers.

Bills' Rogers charged with punching police officer [9:39 AM]AP reports:
'Buffalo Bills wide receiver Charlie Rogers was charged with punching a police officer at a bar and had to be subdued with pepper spray. Rogers also is accused of spitting at two officers while being processed at police headquarters.

NFL player seized in brawl outside Old Bridge bar [9:29 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Charlie Rogers was subdued with pepper spray and arrested after police said he punched and spit at a patrolman outside an Old Bridge go-go bar.
Rogers' companion, Tageshia Guarriello, 31, of Edgewater, who was arrested for hindering his apprehension, yesterday said Rogers helped break up a fight in the bar's parking lot before police arrived and was trying to explain that to the officers when one of them punched him.

Pittsford to go long on Bills parade festivities [5:21 AM]D and C reports:
'"We learned something important after last year's Buffalo Bills parade," town Supervisor William Carpenter said. "The crowd wanted the festivities to continue once the parade was over." And this year they will.'

July 15, 2002

Three games down to single seats [8:06 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
As first reported on the Stadium Wall, the Jets, New England and Oakland games down to single seats. The Jets game isn't the only game that is already down to single seats. According Jerry Foran, the Director of Ticket Sales for the Bills, "the Jets, New England and Oakland are all into single seat tickets."

Kent Hull Stunned On Induction To Wall Of Fame [12:47 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Former All-Pro Buffalo Bills center Kent Hull, the leader of the offensive line for the Buffalo Billsí no-huddle offensive and the 19th inductee to the Wall of Fame at Ralph Wilson Stadium this fall, answered your emails in an exclusive interview with buffalobills.com